Born Joyce Lee Atkinson on September 10, 1951, to parents Lois and Leroy Atkinson, Joyce was the second of two daughters. A proud Houstonian, Joyce graduated from M. B. Smiley High School in 1970, where she was in the honor society, French club, and on the drill team. It was also at Smiley where she met the love of her life, Larry Whitehead, beginning their 55-year romance. Shortly after graduation, Joyce started working at Brown & Root before devoting her career to public education until her retirement. Joyce and Larry married on December 4, 1971, and together they proudly raised two sons, Matthew and Andrew. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as “Tutu”, and was a lifelong Houston Astros fan. Joyce and Larry celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in December. She will be remembered most for her intelligence, grace, and devotion to her family. She wished that the ones she leaves behind not mourn, but celebrate a life well lived full of love and purpose.
Joyce is preceded in death by her father, Leroy Atkinson, and father-in-law, Eacle Whitehead. She leaves behind her husband, Larry Whitehead; their two sons, Matthew and wife Amy Whitehead (Montgomery) and Andrew and wife Nhi Whitehead (The Woodlands); granddaughter, Kayla and husband Austin Sharp (Washington); grandsons Gavin LeBlanc and Richie and JJ Whitehead; great-granddaughters, Lilly and Everleigh Sharp; mother, Lois Atkinson (The Woodlands); sister, Ann Capehart (Houston); mother-in-law, Betty Whitehead (Kingwood); siblings-in-law, Russell Whitehead (Corpus Christi), Margie Shaffer (The Woodlands), and Brenda Hooker (Dripping Springs); and numerous other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Joyce’s visitation will be on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, at Cashner Funeral Home (801 Teas Road, Conroe, Texas 77303). The memorial service will be on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at First Baptist Conroe (600 North Main Street, Conroe, Texas 77301). The service will be live streamed at www.fbcconroe.org/livestream for those unable to attend in person. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joyce’s honor to their church, First Baptist Conroe.
